What do I have to do to get motivated??

[jamielee143]

I've been trying to get motivated to workout for over a month.
I plan to wake in the am & jog for 1/2 hr but, I feel exhausted &
wore-out. I need to get out of my winter "rut"! Then I plan to
workout w/ weights after I get home from work for an hr or so,
and nothing seems to happen. I just want to know what ya'll
do to get motivated. It's getting to be a little frustrating!
THX for any advice!!!

[enforcerlady]

If you want it bad enough, then motivation shouldn't be a problem.

[moon girl]

Are you sleeping enough and eating enough and the right things? If those two are in check you should have plenty of energy to get some exercise in.

If that's not the problem, maybe you should consider looking for a type of exercise you enjoy more.

[BuffedWildCat]

Personally, I just want it bad enough. Some days I don't feel like working out either but I force myself to do it anyway then once I am finished, I feel such a huge sense of accomplishment. If I skip, I usually end up feeling angry with myself. Also, usually once I start lifting, then I find myself getting into it and really enjoying it for the most part. Sometimes it's just that initial getting started that is difficult sometimes. But when you do it enough, it pretty much becomes a part of your normal day, your routine and that's what needs to happen.

Also, I find it motivating to look at pics of other women who are in the shape that I want to be in. That usually helps to kick my butt into gear and to also motivate me to stick to my diet. Just hanging out here helps as well, keeps me on track and focused.

[Amysangel]

What really helps me is being here. Looking at all the fantastic women that have accomplished so much, and learning from them.

I also want it badly enough, and once I commit myself to something I won't turn back. My advice to you is make a plan and stick with it. Set a goal, find a training program from any of the wonderful women on here. Terracotta has some great ones on her site, or read the articles on bb.com. Your nutrition needs to be in check, you can get tons of advice on here. What has worked for me is to have a plan of attack, not a vague I want to work out but I'm not really sure what to do.

As for engergy, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep. I can't keep up with my training schedule unless I get 8 hours most nights! ;-) Also a multivitamin if you arent taking one.

[Becca!]

I have unmotivated days but some days i feel ace! i suppose only you know how to get motivated, what motivated you in the past? before i started getting serious with weight training and bodybuilding my idol was victoria beckham - sick i know (god knows what was going on in my head). perhaps someone to aspire to? there are SOO many on here that insipre and motivate me. set goals also. but mainly make sure you are doing it for yourself. xxx

[Stigmatas]

imagine how you will feel when you go out and have to wear a bathing suit and you feel fat. you see the other girls got in shape, but you? you were too lazy to do it. don't let that moment hit you were you have to say maybe next summer. You only get fatter from that point on ;p

learn from others mistakes should be your motivation.

[CFranzen1]

Instead of taking on this huge workout plan, just start off small. I have had many clients come to me before with new lifestyle changes like careers or other things and have been out of the fit scene for months! Just take it one day at a time. Start off slow one week then gradually pick up the pace. It's not a race, it's your health! We all have our moments when life gets away from us, it's human. Try just doing some cardio the first week and see how that goes, you might be surprised how quickly you'll get back to your regular workouts.

[jamielee143]

I appreciate all the advice, THANK YOU so much!
I know all of you have accomplished the same issues
that I'm goin thru...i'm sure & look... U ALL
look amazing! Its nice to know I can come on here
& vent some of my frustrations & get helpful comments
back that will make me a mentally & physically stronger
person. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!



I know I can do it...I did it b4!!!

[TuffGirl]

I usually post in the over 35 section, but just stopped by for a minute....

I was reading some of my old posts last week and ran across this one. It always makes me want to do better!

I fell off the wagon - but got back on and so far I've lost 17 pounds!

This was my motivation. My INCENTIVE is a desire to look better for my husband (he's 5 years younger than me), because there are too many of you young pretty girls out there! SMILE

Please give it a read.

===============

How many times have you heard someone say: "If only I had the willpower to lose weight". How many times have you said it yourself? Quite a lot, I expect.

Poor old "Willpower"! It always gets the blame.

Why can't we stick to a diet? Because we lack willpower.
Why do we fall to temptation? Because we lack willpower.
Why do we eat a whole cake in one sitting? Because we lack willpower.

We see willpower as a magical quality. If someone has it, they're INVINCIBLE. If they don't, they're done!

What's more, we can't really develop willpower, can we? No way! Either we have it or we don't. And we DON'T have it, right? And, so, life goes on. We continue trying to lose weight and get fit but we never succeed, because in our heart of hearts we KNOW we don't have the 'Willpower' to do it. And each failure reinforces our feeling of helplessness.

Does this sound like you? Do you suffer from lack of willpower? If so, let me give you some help.

1. Say "goodbye" to the word WILLPOWER.
2. Say "hello" to the word INCENTIVE.

You see, we think willpower is something we either have or we don't. Like blue eyes, a green thumb, a gift of music, or a sense of humor. We inherit it and feel helpless to develop any willpower for ourselves. We just sit on our asses and say: "Help! I don't have any WILLPOWER...." (sob).

In other words, focusing on lack of willpower gives us a sore ass and little else.

But, INCENTIVES are different. We don't inherit incentives. We find and develop incentives for ourselves. In fact, we can develop incentives for almost anything - including losing weight and getting fit.

Stop thinking "WILLPOWER"! Start thinking "INCENTIVE"!

Remember losing weight and getting fit isn't a matter of gritting your teeth and overcoming pain barriers.

It's about CHOOSING to be fitter, rather that fatter.
It's about CHOOSING a fit lifestyle, rather that a burger and fries lifestyle.

After all, you don't HAVE to lose weight and be fit. You can be any shape or size you want! Stop worrying about lack of "WILLPOWER" and concentrate on finding a good "INCENTIVE" to lose weight and get fit. CHOOSE something positive for which to aim. Aim for something that will keep you going in the weeks/months/years ahead.

And if you can't find a good "INCENTIVE" to lose weight and get fit. Aim for something positive to keep you going in the weeks ahead.

And if you can't find a good "INCENTIVE", then maybe you don't really want to lose weight and be fit. Maybe you'd rather eat whole cakes in one sitting. In which case, stop worrying about losing weight and becoming more fit! STOP reading and posting on this website! Find your happiness elsewhere!

[navy2001]

I struggled with the motivation issue for months. I believe what you need is an "I've had it!" moment. It is at the moment when you are fed up with how you are now which pushes you to change your habits. When the pain of being the same is greater than the pain of change, you will get motivated.

Just my two cents. Good luck!